The procurement process at Kigali City Council (KCC) and delays in remitting of donor funds are slowing down the pace of project implementation, city authorities said yesterday.The city’s Executive Secretary, Jean Marie Matabaro, told The New Times some development partners are yet to meet their financial pledges for this fiscal year.“We have been having problems in the way we carry out the procurement and poor system of accountability on the projects run by the city, like the payment process...this caused delays to accomplish our various projects,” Matabaro said.A recent review carried out by the Ministry of Local Government indicates that Kigali City has implemented only 35 per cent of planned projects, however, city officials insist that 63 per cent worth Rwf10 billion were implemented.“There are some projects implemented by KCC through various donors that are not registered in the Ministry of Local Government,” Matabaro added. Some projects where there is slow progress are road construction and maintenance, installation of traffic lights and construction of health centres.About Rwf2.5 billion had been earmarked for the construction of health centres in the sectors of Remera, Gatenga, Kigarama, Kimironko, Mageragere, Gatsata and Kanyinya, but none was built. Rwf1.9 billion was allocated to road maintenance and the construction is still ongoing on various city roads. On poor accountability, he disclosed that budget officers have now adopted a new system.
